Ojagbemi, Akin, Daley, Stephanie, Kola, Lola, Taylor Salisbury, Tatiana, Feeney, Yvonne, Makhmud, Akerke, Lempp, Heidi, Thornicroft, Graham and Gureje, Oye (2022) Perception of providers on use of the WHO mental health Gap Action Programme-Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) electronic version and smartphone-based clinical guidance in Nigerian primary care settings. BMC Primary Care, 23. a264 1-11. ISSN 2731-4553

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Abstract

Background:
Taking advantage of the rapidly increasing access to digital technology in low- and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization has launched an electronic version of the mental health Gap Action Programme intervention guide (emhGAP-IG). This is suitable for use on smartphones or tablets by non-specialist primary healthcare providers (PHCWs) to deliver evidence-based intervention for priority mental, neurological and substance use disorders. We assessed the perceptions of PHCWs on the feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of using smartphone-based clinical guidance and the emhGAP-IG in the management of people with mental health conditions in Nigeria.

Methods:
Exploration of the views of PHCWs from 12 rural and urban primary health clinics (PHCs) in South-Western Nigeria were carried out using 34 in-depth key informant qualitative interviews with nurses (n=10), community health officers (n=13) and community health extension workers (n=11). An additional two focus group discussions, each comprising eight participants drawn from across the range of characteristics of PHCWs, were also conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted using a three-staged constant comparison technique to refine and categorise the data.

Results:
Three overall themes were identified around the use of clinical guidance and mobile applications (apps) in PHCs. Apps were deployed for purposes other than clinical consultation and decision making. Although paper-based guidance was the expected practice, its utilization is not fully embedded in routine care. An app-based decision-making tool was preferred to paper by PHCWs. Future usage of the emhGAP-IG would be facilitated by training and supporting of staff, helpful design features, and obtaining patients’ buy-in.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Psychosocial interventions, Remote supervision, sub-Saharan Africa, Task sharing
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Division of Medical Education
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2022 09:14
Last Modified:	27 Apr 2023 10:58
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/108384

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